James Gleick

From the invention of scripts and alphabets to our current world of blogs and tweets, James Gleick tells the story of information technologies that changed the very nature of human consciousness. 'The Information' is the story of how we got here and where we are heading.

James Gleick said: "This is a very unexpected surprise. I am not a scientist, but I have my nose pressed against the glass. I visited the Royal Society 12 years ago to research a biography of Isaac Newton. It is a pleasure to be back again."

Judges' comments

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE FRS, Chair of the judges, said: "The Information is an ambitious and insightful book that takes us, with verve and fizz, on a journey from African drums to computers, throwing in generous helpings of evidence and examples along the way. It is one of those very rare books that provide a completely new framework for understanding the world around us. It was a privilege to read."